Smuggled Sounds: Tania Maria

Tania Maria is a Brazilian artist, singer, composer and piano player, singing mostly in Portuguese or English. Her music is mostly vocal, sometimes pop, often jazzy, and unmistakably Brazilian. Whether playing fiery samba, tranquil bossa, funky NYC groove, or any other style, she maintains a style that is unique and instantly recognizable.
Born in Sao Luis, northern Brazil, she has a degree in law, and married early and had children. After attempts to launch a musical career in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Tania moved to Paris in 1974. Discovered and brought to Washington D.C. by Charlie Byrd after a concert in Australia, she has been based in New York since the '80s, best known for her fiery interpretation of Brazilian, Afro-Latin, Pop and jazz fusion. Tania has played virtually every important jazz festival in the world and has appeared on countless television and radio programmes. Tania has recorded 19 albums and in 1985 was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category "Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female". In 1995 Tania performed at prestigious venues like The Blue Note and famous festivals like Saratoga Jazz Festival, New Orleans Heritage Festival, and has played with such greats as Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, Sammy Figueroa and Eddie Gomez.